Wallace (Wally) Pace, age 74 of Evanston, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family in the early morning hours Saturday, Nov. 4.
Wally was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Clovis, New Mexico, to John Howard and Mary Evelyn Pace. He lived in New Mexico until 1985, at which time he came to Wyoming for a short-term pipeline job, met the love of his life and her five crazy kids. He fell in love with them and decided to make his home with them in Lyman, and added another crazy son to the mix.
Wally worked as a mechanic most of his life, but nothing compared to his love of working on John Deere tractors. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix; even in his last years, he spent a lot of time working through pictures or over the phone with his children to fix and build things.
Wally had many passions, and to try to say which one was his favorite would be impossible. He loved spending time with his family, whether they were golfing, fishing, hunting, camping, playing cards or telling stories and laughing. He was quick to make people smile, and everyone shared their own special inside jokes and shenanigans with him. He had a way of touching people’s hearts and leaving a lasting impression.
Wally is survived by the love of his life, Marie Pace; his mother, Mary Evelyn Pace; his sister, Judy Spears; five sons, Nick Elmer (Cyndi), Chuck Elmer (TomiLynn), Bill Elmer (Jamie), Michael Pace (Britney), all of Evanston, and Ronnie Pace (Mandi) of New Mexico; three daughters, Tina Johnson (Jim), Snow Palmasano (David), both of Evanston, and Terri Vasquez (Hector) of Glendale, Arizona.
He is also survived by 25 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; an uncle, James (Terrell) Pruit; and nephew, Brian Walker.
He was preceded in death by his father; a niece, Tracy; a nephew, Brent; and a great-nephew, Shawn.
At Wally’s request, there will not be a public service, but rather an immediate-family memorial at a later date.
